New Video: The Lost Rivers. Stay.

New Single: Bliss.City.East. Lady Luck.

Lady Luck by bliss.city.east

Video: Spacewaves. Walking By.

This band = amazing. Expect more news/features about them on the blog in the near future. Fantastic sound.

Top 5 Records of the Week.

Welcome to another installment of When The Sun Hits' weekly obsessions. You may have noticed that Danny and I took a couple of weeks vacation from our weekly Top 5 postings, because we both absolutely needed to take a break and hit our proverbial reset buttons. But now we are back, and have tons more new stuff in store for you, especially regarding the evolution of the blog and other exciting things...but more on this very soon!

For the uninformed, our weekly Top 5 Records lists include older and classic LPs and EPs for you to revisit, as well as brand new releases, so that you can keep your finger on the pulse of new artists and still rock out to classics. It's a great way to give old and new bands exposure, plus we just like making lists, because we are music nerds like that.

We've archived all of the previous weeks for your browsing enjoyment, which you can find in the right side bar, if you're curious about such things.

*Amber's Top 5 Records of the Week*

1. Boys Beware. Testimony. Self Released. (2010)











2. Perfect Blue. On A Higher Plane. Northern Star Records. (2008)











3. Kontakte. We Move Through Negative Spaces. Drifting Falling. (Slated for release: March, 2011)











4. Laboratory Noise. When Sound Generates Light. Recurring Accident Records. (2010)










5. The Year Zero. Oceania, I Will Return. Skipping Stones Records. (2006)

*Danny's Top 5 Records of the Week*

1. Dream Academy. Remembrance Days. Reprise Records. (1987)











2. Marty Wilson-Piper. Rhyme. Rykodisc. (1989)












3. The Church. 23. Second Motion Records. (2009)











4. Kitchens of Distinction. The Death of Cool. One Little Indian. (1992)











5. Peter Koppes. Manchild and Myth. Session Records. (1988)

A Short Q & A: Steve Kilbey of The Church.

When The Sun Hits is ecstatic to present Steve Kilbey, the bassist/vocalist of long standing Australian dream pop band The Church. From the early days of post punk through late 80's post modernism, from 90's grunge and into today's shoegaze/dream pop revival, The Church have continued to make brilliant, stand alone music and be the common bond for smart, discerning music fans the world over. From the stoner Pink Floyd fan in the southern United States, the melancholy Cure lover in Estonia, the smart Radiohead fan in England, to the noise enthusiast My Bloody Valentine shoegazer in Malaysia, The Church are one of the few bands we all agree on. There aren't many like The Church, or like Steve Kilbey. He is a rare being, a true gentleman and a real renaissance man - musician, poet, producer and painter (his piece "Painkiller" is pictured above left): Mr. Steve Kilbey.

The Church. The Unguarded Moment.

1. Steve, how was the band formed?

We were formed by Peter (Peter Koppes, guitarist) and we knew each other from an old band and the others came by chance...

2. Where did the name "The Church" come from (sorry, generic question!)?

It was from a line by David Bowie : "The church of mad love is such a holy place to be." (From the song "Moonage Daydream" to be exact, taken from the famed LP The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars.)

David Bowie. Moonage Daydream.

3. Do you feel like you and the The Church get the recognition/respect you deserve by modern artists and critics?

I dunno and I don't really care ... we do get superlative reviews from time to time, which helps morale.

4. What have you been listening to/reading/watching lately? Any new bands that you like?

I just mainly stick to the classics, but I am enjoying Angus and Julia Stones album. I don't catch a lot of new stuff.

5. How does it feel to have been inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame? (Your speech was AMAZING!)

It was good to finally get in there. My speech was just an off the cuff thing and I got lucky with it. It could have been a shocker, but it worked out alright. That's the luck of public speaking I guess.

The Church. Sisters.

6. When can we expect a new Church/Steve Kilbey release?

Yeah, new Church next year and I've got some collaborations due soonish...

7. Steve, you are a highly influential bassist, songwriter, poet, producer and painter. What keeps you going and excited about art? What/who is your muse?

Yeah, I just have a good relationship with my creativity, I guess. I know when to push it and when to take it easy. I've got my modus operandi and it's always worked for me. I never sweat it and I just let it all come.

The Church. Tantalized.

8. What is the most important piece of gear for your sound ? Any particular guitar/pedals/amps you prefer?

I love Fender electric guitars. To me they are superior instruments, especially the old ones.

9. Which artists have most influenced your work?

Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Marc Bolan, David Bowie.

The Church. It's No Reason.

10. What do you think of the state of the music industry today? How do you feel about free downloading?

Don't mind free downloading myself that much, but it is ruining business.



11. What was the impetus for doing this latest Church tour and playing the three albums: Starfish, Priest+Aura (My favorite of the three!) and #23?

Just to see if we could do it. The 2000's, the 1990's, and 1980's - all represented.





12. What song do you think best represents you and/or the band?

Hard to narrow it down to one song, but I like "Myrrh" off Heyday. (Heyday is actually my favorite Church album.~Danny)

13. What is your philosophy on life, if any, that you live by?

My philosophy is I have no real philosophy. I just meander like a river.

Taken from Steve Kilbey's website The Time Being:

December 26, 2010~"THE IMPERFECTIONIST":

the male fire penetrates the female earth the elusive ether trembles above the submissive invisible air
the water as rain
falling falling oh falling down
no one would believe this life i dont
the morning wakes up and says im sore!
the night says why, where are you sore dear thing?
the morning says everywhere
tiny cold drops on my skin blow in thru the window
i type type type because that is what i do
the rain becomes insistent but what exactly is it insisting on
i remember deep in the night of love i remember how lost i was
i must be stumbling round in my own head
i cant believe the things i hear myself saying
at least im indoors at least im just dreaming
the cool rain is real but nothing more
steve kilbey is elsewhere
all of his voices get to roam free now
we jostle forwards demanding a platform
we start to kick up a clamour
we insist upon the gory details
we weasel and connive and we wriggle about
christmas day is over it exploded behind my eyes so pleasantly
at 3 a.m. i’m in a dream dressed in a towel
the street is very very quiet
not a breath of air the temperature is perfect
the future around the corner
i move thru darkness like shark
in my mind i see red
swimming up the blood dimmed tide
but in my strangest dreams i am the one who is bitten
on film i see my shoulders tense and relax
still i move thru the dark summer air like neptune come to life
down by the frothy shore the wavelets danced to their own tune
and the old stings of monstrous jellyfish suddenly flared upon my belly
the salty night air all pierced now with rain
but i never finish what i’m saying.....

Painting by Steve Kilbey.

Free Preview: The Ice Choir Demos.

For those that didn't already know, The Depreciation Guild has recently been laid to rest (sob). Of course, Kurt Feldman is still with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, but he is also working on a new project called the Ice Choir, which was born in October 2010. You can download the Ice Choir's demos for free HERE. Who doesn't love free previews? And Kurt Feldman? Exactly. Do it!

LISTEN HERE.

Video: Bell Hollow. Contact (Prids Cover).

Free Download: Amber's Shoegaze Radio Show. Aired Feb. 6th, 2011.

Free Download: Amber's Shoegaze Radio Show.

originally aired on Jan. 30, 2011 on KTRU 91.7fm

Directions: Click HERE to download the show. Put on headphones or significantly turn up your speaker volume. Enjoyment should ensue.

See set list below for mid-enjoyment reference time. Gaze correctly!

band name/song title

Soren Well. Plaster.
Pinkshinyultrablast. Blaster.
Ghost Society. Better Days.
Blind Mr. Jones. Dolores.
Music for Headphones. Open.
Serena Maneesh. Blow Yr Brains in the Morning Rain.
Mogwai. How to be a Werewolf.
The Long Cut. Tell You So.
Singapore Sling. Overdrive.
Curve. Doppelganger.
Ringo Deathstarr. Sweet Girl.
Disco Inferno. Love Stepping Out.
Foxtail Somersault. Motionland.

Interview: Boys Beware.

Boys Beware is a four piece out of Wichita, KS, and is comprised of Eric Medlin, Luke Buckman, Eric Harrison and Tyler Kelley. Their sound has been described as somewhere in between the nebulous realms of indie rock/post-punk/gothic revival/shoegaze, and they first hit our radar earlier this year when we heard them via the Killredrocket Records' compilation, Jesus in Space 2011: The Resurrection. That one track was intriguing enough for When The Sun Hits to seek out Boys Beware's 2010 debut LP, Testimony, which was likewise not disappointing in the least. Get to know Boys Beware - their unique sound deserves your attention.

1. How was the band formed?

All of us had individually played in bands separately from one another with our drummer, Eric Harrison in the past. When Boys Beware was beginning, It was just our keyboardist, Luke and him. A second keyboardist (who is no longer with us) joined, Eric Medlin and Tyler we both later chosen for their individual abilities and our belief that they would be appropriate for the type of band we were hoping to start.

2. Can you tell us what you've been working on and what you've got forthcoming in the near future (new releases, tour, etc)?

We are finishing up a video for our song "Claire" from our debut LP Testimony (the still image on the right is taken from that video - and should be enough to make you want to see the rest of it immediately. We certainly want to. -WTSH.). We are also currently working on a series of 4 CD eps with approximately 5 songs a piece released on a seasonal basis hopefully starting this spring. The best songs from these will later be chosen, along with whatever new material we are working on in the future for a vinyl LP to be released approximately a year from now. We are also discussing touring the Midwest sometime in early summer.

3. Where does the name "Boys Beware" come from?

Boys Beware is the title of a preposterous 1961 anti-gay propaganda film. The film characterizes all homosexual men as predators, as a threat to young men everywhere. We chose the name, both because of the way it sounds and as a symbol of solidarity with our gay friends and family along with all other individuals seeking basic civil rights.

4. Are you currently affiliated with any record labels, or are there any out there you'd love to work with? If not, do you find that the DIY method works best for you?

We are not affiliated with anyone. We believe that things that we can do ourselves, we should do ourselves. We record our own releases, design our own packaging, make our own videos (with a bit of help from some friends), book our own shows, etc.. We would certainly be willing to work with a label, provided that they could provide us with something that is currently unavailable or difficult for us to do alone, tour booking, promotion, or whatever. At the same time, we would need to retain creative control.

5. Do you consider Boys Beware's music to be part of the current shoegaze/dream pop/noise scene, or any scene? To me, your sound is more post-punk/gothic revival with interludes of shoegaze, drone and noise. (Even though "scenes" and "genres" are lame words to describe art, they at least helps readers get an idea of your sound.) What are your thoughts?

I don't know that we consider our music to be part of any scene, aside from the blanket "indie" category. It feels like we fit in with a lot of different things, and there are ideas that we have pulled from various shoegaze and goth bands, but we haven't really met any artists that do what we do.

6. What do you think of modern shoegaze/dream pop artists, any favorites?

On the whole, we listen to more of the old guard. Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine, Ride, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Lush...the list goes on.

Modern bands...Astrobrite, Bloody Knives, M83, Shoegaze tinged bands like Silversun Pickups.

7. What is the most important piece of gear for your sound? Any particular guitars/pedals/amps that you prefer?

Synthesizers, Bigsby tremolos, reverb and delay pedals.

8. What artists (musical or otherwise) have most influenced your work?

David Bowie, The Smiths, Joy Division, The Psychedelic Furs, The Legendary Pink Dots, My Bloody Valentine, The Cure, M83, Frog Eyes, Nick Cave, Bear in Heaven, Sonic Youth, and Black Sabbath would be a good start.

9. Can you tell us a little about what you are currently into (books, films, art, bands, etc)?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathons, the films of Alejandro Jodorowsky, Yeasayer, the new Destroyer record, and the idea that cats are people too.

10. If you had to choose one Boys Beware track that was the ultimate definition of your sound, which would it be and why?

"Claire". It is perhaps the first song written for this band, and encompasses a lot of what we do within 5 minutes.

11. What is your philosophy (on life), if any, that you live by?

Synthbass4ever

Video: Soren Well. Starry Eyes Gone Blank Tonight.

Video: Ghost Society. Better Days.

The shoegaze radio show will be available for download later today; until then, enjoy this cut from the show...

Video: The Church. Pangea. From their newest album entitled "23".

Free Download: Amber's Shoegaze Radio Show. Aired Jan. 30, 2011.

Free Download: Amber's Shoegaze Radio Show.

originally aired on Jan. 30, 2011 on KTRU 91.7fm

Directions: Click HERE to download the show. Put on headphones or significantly turn up your speaker volume. Enjoyment should ensue.

See set list below for mid-enjoyment reference time. Gaze correctly!

band name/track title

1. Presents for Sally. Chug.
2. Wild Nothing. Cloudbusting (Kate Bush Cover).
3. House of Love. Girl with the Loneliest Eyes.
4. Dead Mellotron. I Hate the Way Things Are.
5. Adorable. Vendetta.
6. Swirlies *request*. Sarah Sitting.
7. Perfect Blue. Sunshine.
8. The Prids. Fragile.
9. Lush. Leaves Me Cold.
10. Boys Beware. Flourescent.
11. Moose. Last Night I Fell Again.
12. Brittle Stars. Four Words.
13. SPC ECO. For All Time.
14. Swallow. Oceans and Blue Skies.

Interview: Talha Asim Wynne of //orangenoise.

//orangenoise is a four-piece based in Karachi, Pakistan, and consists of the following musicians: Talha Asim Wynne (guitar, vocals), Daniel Arthur Panjwaneey (bass, vocals), Danial Hyatt (drums) and Faizan Riedinger (guitar). When //orangenoise's 5 song debut digital EP, //veracious, recently found it's way to the ears of When The Sun Hits, we were awestruck with the realization that they undeniably kicked ass and everyone needed to know. We are in the process of reviewing that very EP for you, but for now, check out the following interview with Talha Asim Wynne and learn a little about //orangenoise. We have a feeling these guys won't stay underground for too long.






1. How was the band formed?

Me and Danny P (Daniel Arthur Panjwaneey) used to play psychedelic/post-rock ish stuff in another band (Look Busy Do Nothing) and Danial and Faizan had been in the Karachi scene for some time with their band Mole. In March last year these guys had a gig for which Danny P was playing bass and he told me that I should meet up with the Mole guys because they're doin' some whack stuff with sounds. I went to their gig after which we all chilled and got to know each other and that thing happened when all the perfect Tetris bricks start falling into position.

2. Can you tell us what you've been working on and what you've got forthcoming in the near future (new releases, tour, etc)?

This EP had been in the works for the last 6 months or so and along side that we always had some jams that we had been putting aside, now that this EP is done we're looking to give form to those cached ideas. I guess another EP or maybe even a full length album could be possible in the near future. We're also currently working on changing and opening up the music scene in Pakistan, trying to get together cool bands and keep them in a close circuit so that a sense of community and musicianship can make way into the Karachi scene. As for tours, we've been playing shows in Karachi only so far, if an opportunity comes our we'd probably be out there anywhere making noise. We'll let nature take its course.

//orangenoise. On the Run (live).

3. Where does the name "//orangenoise" come from?

Haha funny story, we had been jamming for a really long time without a band name, and we had to give in a name for this one gig we were supposed to play at. Me and Danny P exchanged a whole bunch of random names and finally we were converged to the point where //orangenoise seemed to be it. It made sense literally and otherwise. The slashes are there because they work in a lot of ways when you're on the computer, online etc...

4. How is your music received in Pakistan? Is there a shoegaze scene there at all?

The EP made its way into the active music listeners circle here in Pakistan. Since it was an online release, it has spread as far as the internet would take it, and then beyond maybe with the random shares and file transfers that you'd expect among the listeners. Lots of people seem to be enjoying what they hear and owning the music because its coming from Pakistan. Usually you'd find lots of cover bands, playing hard rock/metal and the sorts all around, a shoegaze scene might not exist right now, but that's what we're trying to bring out. A new sound to hear when you go to see a show, y'know?

5. Do you consider //orangenoise's music to be part of the current shoegaze/dream scene, or any scene?

I think we're primarily a psychedelic rock band, the way our influences come in together just aligns us with the whole shoegaze/dream scene. On the other hand i would definitely consider our release to be kind of like our region's contribution to the whole new wave of shoegaze type music thats floating around. It's all essentially rock n roll.


6. What do you think of modern shoegaze/dream pop artists, any favorites?

Absolutely. Me You Us Them is quite often on loop, really dig those guys, we're also big on A Place to Bury Strangers, Soundpool, Oceansize and then there's our Sweet Trip, Wild Nothing, Neon Indian and Incan Abraham moments. Although not shoegaze, but Tame Impala's been inside our heads for the longest now.

7. What is the most important piece of gear for your sound? Any particular guitars/pedals/amps that you prefer?

HAHA. I'd 'prefer' a whole bunch of things, but our setup is very minimal currently. I route my guitar into my Line 6 solid state amp and use the on-board effects. Danny P has a multi-effects box for his bass, which we all think looks like an alien swordfish. Recently, we've also been routing our instruments through our macbooks to make up for the lack of pedals. I guess my main guitar (Yamaha RGX 420s) would be most vital, only because it has the floating trem on it. Then again, who wouldn't mind a Jazzmaster while the floor's been decorated by Death by Audio while you lean back on some Orange amps?

8. What artists (shoegaze/dream pop or otherwise) have most influenced your work?

Since we're all coming from very different musical backgrounds, the influences are this whole mixed bag of trippy stuff, mostly psychedelic, Danny P digs Tool, Porcupine Tree and any thing that chokes a sub-woofer, I think Ira Kaplan's guitar playing is what amuses me most, the amount of energy he brings out is phenomenal, obviously Kevin Shields' experimentations, and as a musician I secretly adore Anton Newcombe and Frank Zappa's approach to doing things. Danial and Faizan bring in their dub-step/electronic influences, the spectrum of Warp artists and glitchy sounds and the sort. Those are, pretty much, the bricks in our wall of sound.

9. Can you tell us a little about what you are currently into (books, films, art, bands, etc)?

Aronofsky's recent gem, Black Swan, was another reminder of why he's such a mad genius, he's like Syd Barrett behind a camera. Gaspar Noe's Enter The Void was a treat to watch alone in a dark room. I'm essentially a jazz guy, would love to end up playing jazz when I'm 40 or something haha. I'm going through an Eric Dolphy and Derek Bailey revival these days. The rest of the guys are always discovering awesome new dub/electronic stuff and I get my filtered feed from them. I like Faizan's art, and Danny P is an amazing, amazing chef. He puts good restaurants to shame.

10. If you had to choose one //orangenoise track that was the ultimate definition of your sound, which would it be and why?

"I Know Everything". It's got that void you can lose yourself into when you listen to it. But when we're playing live, "Trust" seems to be the song the entire band sort of indulges selflessly into.

11. What is your philosophy (on life), if any, that you live by?

Take each day as it comes, filter out the positivity and keep it, then throw out the rest. Keep expectations below zero.

Video: New Speedway. When We Talk.

From the upcoming Feel It LP (2011).